Penn State Football: Gattis Heads To Alabama As Franklin Reportedly Looks To Florida For Replacement

Former Penn State receivers coach Josh Gattis officially announced his move to the Alabama staff on Wednesday afternoon.

“Penn State will always hold a special place in my heart as both of my kids have been born in State College,” Gattis said on Twitter. “To my players, thank you to each and every one of you. I hope you know how thankful I am for each relationship and how much love I have for each one of you all.”

Gattis is set to join the Tide as co-offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach. The move was reported last week but had yet to become official. Gattis was set to enter his fifth year at Penn State and seventh with James Franklin.

The move continues a long offseason of change for Penn State as the Nittany Lions have seen offensive coordinator Joe Moorhead leave for the head coaching job at Mississippi State bringing running backs coach Charles Huff with him.

In total Penn State will have new faces, or partially new faces as multiple coaching positions on the offensive side of the ball next year. Gattis was a key asset for Penn State on the recruiting trail as well as coaching on the field.

According to reports, Florida assistant Ja’Juan Seider could fill Gattis’ shoes. Seider had recently left the Florida program and had spent time at Marshall and West Virginia prior to his time at Florida. While with the Gators, Seider had coached tight ends under new head coach Dan Mullen and was a holdover from from Florida coach Jim McElwain's staff.